Sony recruits former Homeland Security exec to boost online defense

Philip R. Reitinger enlisted to prevent future hacks

Sony has recruited a former US Department of Homeland Security official to help protect its digital assets. Philip R. Reitinger joins the electronics giant as senior vice president and chief information security officer in charge of shoring up Sony's online defenses and safeguarding the company against future cyber attacks.

As well as serving as a top cyber security executive at the US Department of Homeland Security, Reitinger has helped wage war on hackers for a number of other organizations include the National Cybersecurity Center, Microsoft, the US Department of Justice, and the US Department of Defense. According to Sony's press statement, Reitinger's new responsibilities include “[overseeing] information security, privacy and internet safety across the company, coordinating closely with key headquarters groups and working in partnership with the information security community to bring the best ideas and approaches to Sony.”

Reitinger's appointment is no doubt part of Sony's ongoing efforts to better protect its online properties following its high-profile skirmish with hackersback in April, which effectively shut down PSN and Sony Online Entertainment.

"Certainly the network issue was a catalyst for the appointment," said Sony spokesman. "We are looking to bolster our network security even further."

Sony has some big guns in its corner. Hopefully, would-be cyber criminals will see this hiring as a deterrent rather than a challenge.